Retroperitoneum: Definition from Answers.com

Retroperitoneum

Transverse section, showing the relations of the capsule of the kidney. (Peritoneum is labeled at center right.)

Human kidneys viewed from behind with spine removed
Latin	spatium retroperitoneale
MeSH	Retroperitoneal+Space

The retroperitoneum (or extraperitoneum) is the anatomical space in the abdominal cavity behind (retro) the peritoneum. It has no specific delineating anatomical structures. Organs are retroperitoneal if they only have peritoneum on their anterior side.

Retroperitoneal bleeding, such as from a ruptured aortic aneurysm shows as Grey Turner's sign (flank bruising).

1 Secondarily retroperitoneal organs
2 Retroperitoneal structures
3 Role in disease
4 References

Secondarily retroperitoneal organs

Organs that were once suspended within the abdominal cavity by mesentery but migrated posterior to the peritoneum during the course of embryogenesis to become retroperitoneal are considered to be secondarily retroperitoneal organs.

Retroperitoneal structures

Structures that lie behind the peritoneum are termed "retroperitoneal". These include:

Primarily retroperitoneal:
- urinary
  - adrenal glands
  - kidneys
  - ureter
  - bladder
- circulatory
  - aorta
  - inferior vena cava
- digestive
  - esophagus (part)
  - rectum (part, lower third is extraperitoneal)

Secondarily retroperitoneal:
- the head, neck, and body of the pancreas (but not the tail, which is located in the splenorenal ligament)^[1]
- the duodenum, except for the proximal first segment, which is peritoneal^[2]
- ascending and descending portions of the colon (but not the transverse or sigmoid)

A useful mnemonic to aid recollection of the abdominal retroperitoneal viscera is SAD PUCKER:

S = Suprarenal glands (aka the adrenal glands)
A = Aorta/IVC
D = Duodenum (second and third segments [some also include the fourth segment] )
P = Pancreas (tail is intraperitoneal)
U = Ureters
C = Colon (only the ascending and descending branches)
K = Kidneys
E = Esophagus
R = Rectum

Role in disease

References

^ Kyung Won, PhD. Chung (2005). Gross Anatomy (Board Review). Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 256. ISBN 0-7817-5309-0.
^ K. L. Moore, A. F. Dalley, A. M. R. Agur (2005). Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Hagerstown, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 1209. ISBN 0781736390.

v • d • e General anatomy of torso

Thorax/ Thoracic cavity	Mediastinum (Superior, Anterior, Middle, Posterior) · Superior thoracic aperture · Inferior thoracic aperture · Triangle of auscultation · Intercostal space · Thoracic plane · Thoracic wall/Thoracic cage · fascia (Pectoral fascia, Clavipectoral fascia, Thoracolumbar fascia) · Chest · Midsternal line

Thoracic diaphragm	openings (Caval opening, Esophageal hiatus, Aortic hiatus, Foramina of Morgagni) · Central tendon · Crus of diaphragm · arcuate ligaments (Lateral, Medial, Median)

Abdomen/ Abdominal cavity	Retroperitoneum · Paracolic gutters · Hepatobiliary triangle anterior abdominal wall (Arcuate line, Linea alba, Tendinous intersection, Linea semilunaris, McBurney's point, Traube's space, Inguinal triangle) · Inguinal canal (Deep inguinal ring, Superficial inguinal ring, Intercrural fibers, Crura of superficial inguinal ring) · Lumbar triangle · regions (Epigastrium, Hypochondrium, Umbilical region, Latus, Hypogastrium, Inguinal region) · planes (Transpyloric plane, Intertubercular plane, Midclavicular line) · quadrants (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ) fascia (Fascia of Camper, Fascia of Scarpa, Transversalis fascia, Renal fascia, Rectus sheath)

Pelvis/ Pelvic cavity	Pelvic floor · Retropubic space fascia (Pelvic fascia, Superior fascia of diaphragm of pelvis, Inferior fascia of diaphragm of pelvis, Fascia of the Obturator internus, Tendinous arch, Iliac fascia, Iliopectineal fascia)

Perineum	Anal triangle (Ischioanal fossa, Pudendal canal, Anococcygeal raphe) Urogenital triangle (Superficial perineal pouch, Deep perineal pouch) Perineal body fascia (Dartos/fascia of perineum/superficial perineal fascia/Fascia of Colles, Perineal membrane/"Inferior fascia of UGD", "Superior fascia of UGD")

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

Donate to Wikimedia

	pneumoretroperitoneum
	retropneumoperitoneography
	Burkett's lymphoma (medicine)

		Medical Dictionary. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Read more
		Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more
		Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Retroperitoneum". Read more

Retroperitoneum

Contents

Secondarily retroperitoneal organs

Retroperitoneal structures

Role in disease

References